Recently i have watched this movie and i like it so much. People who know me should have known that i am not a movie person, i fall asleep whenever i watch movie. So there are really few movies that could make me awake throughout the whole movie. “Yes Man” is one of them. So i would like to introduce about this movie in this blog.

Synopsis of the movie

Yes Man

Yes Man” stars Jim Carrey as Carl Allen, a guy whose life is going nowhere-the operative word being “no”-until he signs up for a self-help program based on one simple covenant: say yes to everything…and anything. Unleashing the power of “YES” begins to transform Carl’s life in amazing and unexpected ways, getting him promoted at work and opening the door to a new romance. But his willingness to embrace every opportunity might just become too much of a good thing.

My comment:

Although it is a bit too extreme if you say “yes” to everything. But if you observe our daily life carefully,we exactly say no to many things. Some are verbally but some are in your mind. I have been thinking since i finished the movie and i realize that it is so true. I have been saying NO when the alarm clock waking me up in the early morning, i have been saying NO when my lecturers give me more assignment, i have been saying NO to vegetables, i have been saying NO when people give me advice, and the list goes on……Sad to say this, many of the things that i have been saying NO are actually good for me. :p

Besides that, the story actually reminded me about some of the books that i have read. Many successful entrepreneurs actually propose an open-minded spirit. Maybe that’s the reason why they could grab many opportunities and made use of them.I believe opportunities are everywhere. If we reject all the opportunities that we have met, we might miss the chance to change our life and to accomplish our dream. Think about this, when you try out something new and the thing turn out to be bad. Most likely you will only lose some times or money. But i am sure you will get some experience and learn something unexpectedly. But if you are not willing to try at all, you might just miss out something great.

People nowadays like to stay in their comfort zone where changes are hardly made. No doubt, changes are really difficult to make. I use to wake up at 8am and it will be much difficult for me to wake up at 7am in a particular day. Well, it depends on how much effort that you are willing to put in. Donald Trump once said, force yourself to do something new for 7 days continously, then you will get use to it. I truly believe that because i have nuturing my reading habit by doing that.

So, let’s say yes together. haha…..I believe this will be a good practise to make our life fruitful. Just like what the movie caption says-“One word that can change everything” 🙂

Recently i am keen on researching about all the food that we are eating. The first thing that came across my mind was the food pyramid that proposed by some authorities. I have found something very interesting from the two food pyramids below:

Department of Nutrition, Harvard School of Public Health

Health Promotion Board Singapore

The first pyramid is from Harvard School of Public Health whereas the other one is from Singapore Health Promotion Board. One very big contrast is that the location of white rice in the pyramid. Harvard School put it at the tip of pyramid while Singapore Health Promotion Board places it at the bottom of the pyramid. Well, some people may argue that the research of Harvard school was done based on US people so Asian actually need more rice. Personally i do not think so as balance diet for human being shouldn’t have such a big contrast.

Argument give by Harvard School is Easily digested carbohydrates from white bread, white rice, pastries, sugared sodas, and other highly processed foods may, indeed, contribute to weight gain and interfere with weight loss. Whole grains, beans, fruits, vegetables, and other sources of intact carbohydrates do just the opposite—they promote good health. That is the reason why they promote whole grain instead of fined grain. While i can’t find any argument regarding to this from Singapore Health Promotion Board.

So, does anyone have any idea about this issue? I welcome all the comments and suggestion. Let’s pursue balance diet and hence lead a healthy lifestyle. Thank you! 🙂

I bought a The Straits Times on Saturday and found that there are many “interesting” news which are closely related to our life. So i will post some of the news here and some of my opinions to all the readers of my blog.

This news is about a survey about Singaporeans’ dream. The survey were done for 2008 and 2009 and there is a big contrast between them. The first goal of singaporean in 2008 was ‘seeing the world’ while their goal has changed to ‘family and children’. I think this is the direct effect of the recent economic crisis. Overall, singaporeans has changed their focus of their goals from personal luxuries and ambitious back on basics such as home and family.

The table shows that self-improvement and making money was ranked second and third in 2008. But they have dropped to no.4 and no.10 in 2009. Personally, i think making money and self-improvement will be more important in the economic downturn. Lower your mean does not really help to solve your problem and achieve your goals. What do you all think about that?

“Determine to your goals, no matter under what conditions and you will get what you want sooner or later!”

The news of recession have been in newspaper this few months. I believe the current recession has brought some impacts for many people. People now scare of jobs cut, interests drop and etc. So when i ‘googled’ with “10 things to do during recession”, i have chosen 9 that i think could possibly help you to get over this recession period. Why 9 but not 10? Because i think these 9 tips are more than enough :p

1) Invest in training & education

Mass unemployment mean mass competition, often during heavy dry periods people will head back to school to get an MBA or second degree. I’m not sure how viable that course of action might be but I would certainly focus on education that has some staying power in fields like health care, education, infrastructure and energy. Besides getting an formal education from education institution, there are actually many skills or techniques that you can pick up by your own by reading more books, exploring yourself to more opportunities and etc.

2)Re-Assess your Personal Goals.

Did you do a 5-year plan about 10 years ago and never followed-up? Take a look back at the past few years, where you are now is the result of that. Chart out where you want to be in 5 years and write your goals down. This is a very important things to do so that you will clear that what are needed to be done in order to achieve your goal. In my opinion, you shouldn’t slow down the progress of achieving your goal during recession. Instead, you should find more ways and work doubly hard to accomplish what you want.

3) Network, Network, Network

Now is the time to invest a few bucks in taking old buddies out to lunch and begin the networking process. Lunch an investment? You’d be surprised how a full stomach can open some doors and a person’s gotta eat anyway….For those gal friends, send them a small flower bouquet on their birthday to make yourself visible and networkable. Bill gates once said, the future most successful business model will be the combination between human network and internet. What do you think?

4) Break a Bad Habit.

If you smoke, drink soda or too much coffee, don’t get enough sleep, play on your computer too much, don’t exercise, have bad food management etc., it’s time to take action and focus on breaking the habit. It takes about 30 days to break a bad habit or start a new good habit. Besides breaking a bad habit, i believe adopting some new habits is also very important. Donald Trump told us that, if you continue doing something good for 7 days continuously, you should be able to have a new good habit already.

5) Invest in others

Networking is a two way street and if you find a job opportunity that doesn’t fit your needs, don’t just throw it away, network with your friends and let them know that a particular company is hiring for a particular skill set. Perhaps a few months into the future a position will open up that meets your criteria and it’s a definite plus to have a friend on the inside that can vouch for you and push the hiring manager in the right direction.

6) Find Something to Cut
Eliminating expenses is the surest route to building a cash safety net. There are many costs you can easily hack away at in your home — dry cleaning bills, dinners out, domestic help. Yet you may be able to save even more, and painlessly, by paying closer attention to the fees you pay for financial services. Switch to a low-fee stock index fund. Make sure you’ve got overdraft protection on your checking account and aren’t needlessly ringing up fees by using another bank’s ATMs. Reassess your life insurance needs. If you’ve quit smoking or lost a lot of weight you may be eligible for a meaningful discount on another policy, and if you’ve paid off the mortgage or the kids have left home you may be able to reduce your coverage. The savings could add up to hundreds of dollars a month.

7) Invest in opportunities

This is perhaps counter intuitive but with mass unemployment during a recession there are people that come up with unique and innovative ideas that have the potential to make a great deal of money. Unfortunately, during recessions, many people don’t have the capital they need to start a business or bring their idea to fruition. Necessity is the mother of invention and innovation is the father of profits, so don’t let any slip you by unnoticed.

8) Make Sure Your Money is Safe

I believe nothing makes you feel secured than holding some cash in your hand. So start preparing for the worse to avoid the worst.

9) Invest in God.

Stop by your favorite church, synagogue, or mosque and say “hi” to the old man, it can’t hurt. I myself is a Christian and i strongly believe this.

I have edited and added some of my own opinion to the above points mentioned. So i welcome any other suggestion that everyone of us could do during this difficulty period. I wish everyone all the best and happy new year.

jh’s thought

I am writing about my thoughts and i welcome anyone who drop by here could give some comments so that we will have a fruitful discussion. The ultimate motive is that we can learn together no matter in doing business, in maintaining health, in communicating with people or nuturing good mindset.